E-Rate Assistance

Discount Program for Schools and Libraries

Contact an Expert

The E-Rate Discount Program helps provide affordable access to telecommunications services for all eligible K-12 public schools, private schools and public libraries, particularly those in rural and inner-city areas. E-Rate is a provision of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, historically funded at up to $2.25 billion annually to provide discounts in four categories: Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Basic Maintenance and Internal Connections hardware.

Prepare for Budget Cuts
Ongoing budget reductions make it imperative to plan wisely, so work with E-Rate experts to make sure your school gets its fair share of discounts.

Respond to Higher ExpectationsRapid advances in technology mean your school must stay a step ahead to prepare your students to succeed in the world.

Choose the Right Technology PartnerCenturyLink has been providing equipment and services using the E-Rate program since its inception in 1998. Our E-Rate team is constantly monitoring this program's regulations, eligibility and deadlines so that your school will meet the deadlines with the maximum awards.

CenturyLink Helps Make Affordable Learning Easy

The E-Rate program offers discounts off the cost of services and technology for eligible schools and libraries to help transform the quality of education and services for your students, parents, patrons, educators and administrators.

How to Use CenturyLink for E-Rate

All service providers participating in the E-Rate program must have unique Service Provider Identification Numbers (SPINs) to help expedite payments. Schools and libraries preparing to file Form 471 must use SPINs for all vendors listed in Block 5, Item 13. These SPINs also will be used on subsequent forms.

For a comprehensive list of eligible E-Rate products and services available on the schools and libraries section of the Universal Service Administration Company Web site and to learn more about the E-Rate program.

How it Works

We strongly encourage you to check USAC's Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) website at www.usac.org/sl for details or call E-Rate Service Center toll-free at 877-231-3850 with questions related to CenturyLink products and services.

For more detailed information on E-Rate, download the E-Rate brochure or visit www.usac.org/sl.

E-Rate Funding

One provision of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was to provide affordable access to telecommunications services for all eligible K-12 public schools, private schools and public libraries, particularly those in rural and inner-city areas.

Historically funded at $2.25 billion annually, the program provides discounts of 20 to 90 percent* in four categories of service:

Telecommunications Services

Internet Access

Basic Maintenance

Internal Connections.

The first two categories, Telecommunications Services and Internet Access, are considered "priority one" and are consistently funded each year.

The remaining categories, Basic Maintenance and Internal Connections, are considered "priority two," and requests are only funded when budget allows. For Internal Connections' funding, these purchases are restricted to receiving funding twice in five years.

Summer months and winter holidays are busy with school installations. Many schools are moving forward with their E-Rate funding projects, but a few have been caught in the middle when their selected service provider announced plans to leave the education market. If you are in this situation and want to continue your project, CenturyLink can help. Please contact us and we will be happy to assist with Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) changes so you can take advantage of your E-Rate award.

*Eligibility discount percentage is based on school location (urban vs. rural) and the number of students in the school(s) eligible for the federal school lunch program.